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Mike Pai confirmed as OPA chief
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Posted on Oct 17 2008
Michael Pai has secured the approval of both houses of the Legislature for his appointment as the Commonwealth’s public auditor. Pai will serve a six-year term.
The Senate voted unanimously to confirm Pai’s nomination yesterday. The House of Representatives took the same action on Thursday.
“I feel honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the CNMI public auditor. I appreciate the confidence the Legislature has in my qualifications and abilities,” Pai said in a telephone interview yesterday.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation and the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations on Wednesday, Pai vowed to keep the Office of the Public Auditor “independent, factual, and fair to all concerned.”
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial appointed Pai on July 22, 2008, to replace Michael Sablan, who resigned while serving his second term as public auditor.
Pai has been a certified public accountant for more than 20 years. He attended the University of Hawaii, where he completed degrees in engineering and business administration.
Before putting up his own accounting firm in 1986, Pai worked for a number of corporations and an accounting firm, including the Hawaiian Telephone Company, Micronesian Telecommunications Corp., and Ernst & Young.
He is currently a shareholder of Universal Air Supply, an air-conditioning and refrigeration wholesale and retail company in Guam; Plexus International, a training and quality management systems firm in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Saipan Sunset Cruise Inc, a local boat cruise tours company.
In addition, he serves as treasurer of Chong’s Corporation, which offers air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment and services. The company, Pai admitted, conducts “a significant amount of business with the government.”
Pai is also an active in community activities, serving as member of the CNMI Board of Accountancy, the NMI Judiciary Historical Society, and the Pet Assistance & Welfare Services group. Pai was also a president and a board member of the Rotary Club of Saipan, and was a board member of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
